Governor Rendell Signs Legislation

Just Say No to Overdraft Fees: Opt-Out Deadline for New Customers Begins July 1, 2010

Another excellent column by Nat Hentoff exposing the evils of Obamacare.

President cons us into accepting Obamacare - The Mercury Opinion

Two-Thirds of Americans Give President Obama Negative Ratings on the Economy

Bishops Urge Senate to Remove Abortion Amendment From Defense Bill

FRC Opposes Supreme Court Decision in CLS v. Martinez

New Report: Adult Obesity Increases in 28 States

PA Historical and Museum Commission Asks Pennsylvanians How Much They Value History

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) says Washington Democrats' unprecedented decision to cancel this year's budget will wreak havoc on our economy and make it even harder to put people back to work.

The House Budget Committee's top Republican, Ryan says Democrats' plan to continue their out-of-control 'stimulus' spending spree and raise taxes on middle-class families is a "recipe for disaster."

He also challenges President Obama and Washington Democrats to stop running out the clock and "make the tough choices they promised they would, put moral obligation before political expedience, and focus on what's in the best interests of the next generation, not the next election."

With economists saying immediate fiscal discipline is needed to create jobs, Ryan notes that Republicans have already identified $1.3 trillion in specific spending cuts that could be implemented right now.

Rep. Ryan is in his sixth term representing the people of Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District.

PA Insurance Commissioner Announces Federal Approval of High-Risk Plan

Five States to Increase Cigarette Taxes on July 1

Supreme Court Strikes Down Key Sarbanes-Oxley Provisions; CEI Co-Counsel Hail Decision

Just 25% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president, according to the latest Rasmussen poll.

But the real eye-opener is the fact that just 50% of Democrats Strongly Approve of Obama's job performance.

Having already lost Republicans and independents, Obama's Democratic base is now eroding. Can you say "one-term president"?

Read more Rasmussen Reports by clicking here

Governor Rendell Announces Nominations, Appointments

Bald Eagles Now Nesting in 50 Counties

Voters Strike Back Through Congressional Job Rating Portal

Aristotle Recognizes 'Rising Stars' in Politics

Governor Rendell Signs Legislation

Don't let Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski near a microphone.

Kanjorski who has represented Pennsylvania's 11th Congressional Cistrict since 1985, may have run one too many times for re-election.

Kanjorski, who is bordering on senility, has done it again, making disparaging remarks about minorities.

From POLITICO:

Republicans are seizing onto racially freighted remarks Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) made Wednesday evening at the financial reform conference committee.

Speaking before the committee, which is trying to reconcile the House and Senate reform bills, Kanjorski appeared to imply that "minorities" are not "average, good American people."

Kanjorski, who chairs the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, said, "We're giving relief to people that I deal with in my office every day now unfortunately. But because of the longevity of this recession, these are people — and they're not minorities and they're not defective and they're not all the things you'd like to insinuate that these programs are about — these are average, good American people."

Kanjorski went on to add that, "Most of them have been veterans, have served, have worked all their lives. But they are not full of money. They live paycheck to paycheck, and they always will because they are in the lower margin of our society."

Read the full story at the link below:

Kanjorski race remark sparks flap - Alex Isenstadt - POLITICO.com

Kanjorki's Republican opponent in November is Lou Barletta.

Soldiers' Angels Unveils New Text-to-Donate for Military Support

She says it right on her blog: Her 15 minutes of fame were not enough.

The suburban Philadelphia woman charged with prostitution after she allegedly offered undercover cops sex in exchange for Phillies World Series tickets, has launched a blog to share her fantasies about the Phillies.

(She was found not guilty in court of the most serious charges but was sentenced to one year probation).

You can check out Susan Finkelstein's R-rated fantasies at Rounding 3rd with Susan Finkelstein

Proposed Social Security Cut Would Rob Seniors of up to $54,954 During Retirement

Nightmare Stranding of Passengers by Virgin Atlantic in CT Spurs Calls for Passenger Rights on International Flights

Pennsylvania Department of State: Disciplinary Actions Taken Against 124 Licensed, Commissioned Professionals, Organizations

Richard Viguerie on the Primary Election Results: This is Not Your Father's GOP

Adoptions in Pennsylvania Reach Record High While Thousands of Children Still Await Permanent Homes

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has launched a new website and video today highlighting President Obama's willingness to place Chicago-style politics over the transparency and open government he promised to give voters.

The site can be viewed here.

From an RNC press release:

The web page, entitled "Obama's Chicago Network," emphasizes the Obama Administration's deep roots in Chicago politics from its ties to disgraced Illinois ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich to its ethically and legally questionable dealings with Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) and Colorado Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff (D-CO).

"When Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States, he promised to usher in a new era of unparalleled transparency and open government in Washington. Rather than putting a stop to 'business-as- usual', this White House has proved more than willing to employ disreputable, backroom, Chicago-style politics in order to further their own political goals. Whether it's senior Administration officials being named in the attempted sale of President Obama's former Senate seat, the offering of administration jobs and positions to impact federal elections, or the deliberate obfuscation by the White House on all of the above, President Obama has not only fallen remarkably short of the high standards he has set for himself and his administration, but most egregiously, he has broken his word to the American people about bringing real change to Washington." – RNC Chairman Michael Steele

PA Lottery Prizes Worth $200,000 and $50,000 Set to Expire July 4

Governor Rendell Announces Confirmations

Auditor General Jack Wagner Says Megan's Law Website Improved, But Still Not Making the Grade

If you've seen the Dos Equis ad on television featuring "The Most Interesting Man," you'll enjoy this parody by the Nanny State Liberation Front starring Barack Obama as "The Most Hypocritical Man in the World."

For more about NSLF, check out the group's Web site or its Facebook page or on Twitter.

Gov. Ed Rendell is ecstatic that the state was able to collect $261 million in delinquent taxes during its recent tax amnesty period. Too bad Randell has already spent $1.2 billion more than the state took in for the current fiscal year.

Governor Rendell Calls $261 Million Collected During Tax Amnesty Program an 'Overwhelming Success'

Judicial Watch Files House Ethics Complaint Against Rep. Bob Etheridge for Alleged Assault

From a story by Paul Richter in the Los Angeles Times:

Confidence in President Obama among the world's Muslims is slipping, according to a poll of global attitudes that also found widespread concern that the United States remains a go-it-alone nation even under the new administration.

The survey, by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project, found support for Obama strong in most nations, even as his rating at home has slipped. But in five of seven Muslim-majority nations that were polled, his popularity slid over the last year, winning approval ratings from about one-third or less of respondents.

Read the full story here.

To review the full Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project poll, click here.

Sit back and enjoy the show. Obama is under attack by the very same liberal elites who helped get him elected in 2008

From a new Bill O'Reilly column:

Hell has frozen over! The far left in America is turning on their guy Barack Obama. After his speech on the oil disaster a few days ago, the crazy left Greek chorus on MSNBC hammered the president. He wasn't specific enough; he was too weak; I don't sense "executive command," they wailed. You would have thought they were talking about President Bush. In fact, many of the anti-Obama criticisms echoed the Hurricane Katrina invective directed towards Mr. Bush in 2005.

Usually the far left covers for its folks and provides them excuse after excuse for their failures. But this time, generally speaking, conservatives have been more generous toward President Obama's oil spill predicament than liberals. Fair-minded people understand that nobody on the planet knows how to plug that gushing broken pipe. As far as reacting slowly, Mr. Obama is guilty, but how many times do you slam the man for allowing BP to dictate the initial play when the oil rig collapsed? Yes, it was foolish. But Monday morning quarterbacking doesn't really get us anywhere once that has been established.

So there has to be something more in play, and there is. Far-left policy in America is largely a coordinated effort. The point place is the Huffington Post, which has replaced MoveOn.org as the driving force for radical left propaganda. People like John Podesta, George Soros, Arianna Huffington and lesser known leftists discuss policy agenda among themselves and then send it out to their willing accomplices in the mainstream media.

Read the full column at the link below:

Bill O'Reilly: Bill's Column - The Left Turns on Obama

Barack Obama is "the most dangerous and incompetent president we have ever had."

Can you guess who said it? Rush Limbaugh? Sean Hannity? Ann Coulter? Nope.

Those are the words of Nat Hentoff, a nationally renowned authority on the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights and a longtime liberal activist.

Hentoff, a Democrat who is still writing a syndicated column into his 80s, fears for the future of this country if Obama's agenda is not stopped this November.

Fresh from resolving that Gulf oil spill business by giving another speech, President Barack Obama goes back to leisurely pace of his presidency. Obama took in a baseball game Friday between the Chicago White Sox and the Washington Nationals. See related story, "Barack Obama plays golf eight more times than George W. Bush," by clicking here.

Two more questions have been posted to Team Toomey's "How Well Do You Know Joe?" quiz to test your knowledge of ultra-liberal U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak.

Click here to take the quiz.

Barack Obama and Ed Rendell keep telling people the recession is over.

If that's the case, it's a jobless recovery as the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania continues to rise. It's 9.1% for May (the highest mark in 26 years), up from 9% in April.

Pennsylvania's Employment Situation: May

PA Tax Amnesty Ends June 18 at Midnight

The Associated Press does it again. Nowhere in this story does it mention that Sen. Bob Mellow is the top-ranking Democrat in the Pennsylvania Senate.

The wire service routinely leaves out the party affiliation when Democrats are under investigation or are charged with a crime.See for yourself:

By MARC LEVY
Associated Press Writer
HARRISBURG — An FBI official says agents have executed search warrants at the home and district office of a top Pennsylvania state senator.
FBI spokesman Frank Burton Jr. said Friday that the agents are investigating allegations of illegal activity by Senate Minority Leader Bob Mellow.
Burton says the investigation is a joint operation between the IRS and the FBI.
He says the agents arrived in the morning at Mellow's Scranton-area home and office, but Burton wouldn't say what they were seeking or discuss the allegations.
Messages left for Mellow and his staff were not immediately returned.
Mellow is the state Senate's longest-serving member and is retiring at the end of this year.

The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr., R-44th Dist., that would require a "super majority" vote for school boards to raise property taxes.

From a press release issued by Rafferty's office:

Senate Bill 553 would amend the Public School Code to require all millage property tax increases to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote by the members elected to the board of school directors.

"Taxpayers are rightfully concerned that property taxes continue to increase, as does school spending," Rafferty said. "Many tax increases are being passed by a single vote. I believe there should be a compelling need and strong support by the board before property taxes go up."

Rafferty said his legislation would provide greater taxpayer protections and ensure that school boards of directors first seek to control spending before raising taxes.

"Taxpayers have repeatedly told us that they want a stronger say in taxing decisions," Rafferty said. "My bill will provide an added protection against tax increases because it will raise the bar when it comes to voting for an increase."

"This is an important move to rein in property tax increase and control spending," Rafferty added.

School boards in Pennsylvania have nine voting members, so at least six would have to support a property tax hike under Rafferty's bill.

Anything that makes it harder for school boards to raise taxes is a step in the right direction, but nothing short of the total elimination of school property taxes will solve Pennsylvania's school funding problems.

It's Tom Corbett's race to lose for Pennsylvania governor.

From Rasmussen Reports:

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Pennsylvania shows that Republican State Attorney General Tom Corbett attracts support from 49% of Keystone State voters in his bid to become governor. His Democratic challenger, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, earns 33% of the vote.

Five percent (5%) say they'd prefer some other candidate, and 13% are undecided.

These results are little changed since mid-May when both candidates won their party nomination. In fact, every poll of the race has shown Corbett ahead with support from somewhere around half the state's voters.

For more poll results, click here.

Republican Pat Toomey is pulling away in the race for Arlen Specter U.S. Senate seat from Pennsylvania.

From Rasmussen Reports:

Congressman Joe Sestak's post-primary bounce appears to be over, and he now trails Republican rival Pat Toomey by seven points in the U.S. Senate contest in Pennsylvania.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Pennsylvania shows Toomey with 45% support, while Sestak earns 38%. Five percent (5%) prefer another candidate in the race, and 12% are undecided.

Two weeks ago, just after his widely covered primary victory over longtime Senator Arlen Specter, Sestak posted a modest four-point lead lead over Toomey.

Prior to the primary, however, Toomey tended to enjoy modest leads over Sestak.

For more poll results, click here.

New Internet Fraud Alert to Help Rescue Stolen Account Credentials

Ten Commandments Translated Wrong, Claims Scholar

From the Delaware County Daily Times:

Republican Congressional candidate Pat Meehan tried Wednesday to tie his Democratic opponent, state Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161, of Swarthmore, to the "Bonusgate" scandal that has rocked the state Legislature.

But Lentz, who called the attempt "sickening" and "absurd," was also at the press conference Meehan called in the state Capitol Rotunda to swat back any accusations of wrongdoing.

Meehan and Lentz are seeking the 7th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Joseph Sestak, the Edgmont Democrat. Sestak faces former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey in the U.S. Senate race.

Meehan, a former Delaware County district attorney and U.S. Attorney, issued a release Tuesday promising "newly uncovered information that calls into question the fitness of state Rep. Bryan Lentz to run for higher office."

"The evidence and grand jury testimony made public in connection with the Bonusgate trial lead directly to the front door of the Lentz campaign offices," Meehan said Wednesday.

Meehan, of Upper Darby, said Lentz, also a former prosecutor, was a "primary beneficiary" of the scandal in which legislative staff were paid bonuses for political work with taxpayer money because a woman who worked on his 2006 campaign had received a $9,565 bonus.

Meehan, Lentz war of words escalating - The Delaware County Daily Times

We know how well Gov. Ed Rendell and the Pennsylvania Legislature have done in balancing the state budget.

The budget has been approved late for seven consecutive years.

The 2008-09 deficit was $3.25 billion. The 2009-10 deficit is $1.2 billion and could top $1.5 billion when the fiscal year ends on June 30.

So what to do?

Four Democratic state lawmakers are taking suggestions from constituents on how to balance the budget.

If you have any ideas on where to trim the fat on the state's $29 billion General Fund budget, visit www.yourpabudget.com and have your say.

Also check out Brad Busted's article about the Web site in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Governor Rendell Signs PFMA/PCSC Supported Organized Retail Crime Bill Into Law

FRC Urges FDA to Reject New Abortion Drug Falsely Labeled as an Emergency Contraceptive

President Obama's Address on BP Oil Spill Fails to Move Voters

Bauer and Rose's Latest Video Calls on Obama to Keep His Word to Israel

Judicial Watch Files Complaint With Office of Special Counsel Requesting Investigation of Obama White House 'Bribery Scandals'

Governor Rendell Signs Legislation

While Barack Obama takes to the airwaves to salvage his presidency, a new Associated Press-GfK poll finds widespread dissatisfaction with the president's handling of the BP oil spill disaster.

From The Associated Press:

WASHINGTON — Americans have become just as dissatisfied with President Barack Obama's work on the Gulf oil spill as they were with his predecessor's handling of Hurricane Katrina, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll released Tuesday.

Most Americans are angry about the government's slow response, the poll finds, with 54 percent saying they had strong feelings about the bureaucracy's reaction. Many doubt that Washington could really help them if they were a disaster victim.

The survey found that 52 percent don't approve of Obama's handling of the spill, a significant increase from last month when a big chunk of Americans withheld judgment. A stunning 83 percent disapprove of BP's performance in the aftermath of the explosion that set off the spill. That percentage of Americans disapproving also was a big jump from May.

To view the full poll results, click here.

From the office of State Sen. John Rafferty Jr.:

Senate Transportation panel to hold hearings on funding issues

HARRISBURG - The Senate Transportation Committee kicked off a series of public hearings today on the transportation funding issues, according to Committee Chairman Senator John Rafferty, R-44th.

Rafferty said Pennsylvania faces crucial challenges in maintaining and enhancing its transportation network, and he wants input from those in the public and private sector on how to best allocate resources and generate needed revenue.

"Today we heard from PennDOT Secretary Alan Biehler who talked about projects that are planned and others that are on hold because of funding issues," Rafferty said.

"In upcoming hearings we hope to hear suggestions from those in the private sector on how we can make the best use of tax dollars and find innovative new ways to meet our growing needs."

Rafferty acknowledged that funding transportation needs is a major challenge, especially during an economic downturn, and said it is important to hear from those with expertise in the field to develop good policies and initiatives.

"Money is tight, and we are facing a huge revenue shortfall again this year," Rafferty said. "But highways, roads and bridges still need to be maintained and new networks built to accommodate growth and ensure that our economy remains strong. So we have to find ways to do more with less and take advantage of innovation."

The committee will hold a second hearing next week and additional hearings in the following weeks.

Small Business Employees Won't Be Able Keep the Health Coverage They Currently Have

Survey: 1 Out of 5 Older Americans Are Financial Swindle Victims, Many Adult Children Worry About Parents' Ability To Handle Finances

Barack Obama's job rating is at 46%, the lowest point of his presidency, but Gallup has some even worse news for Obama. Already abandoned by Republicans and Independents, Obama's job approval among Democrats has started to slip.

From Gallup:

In contrast with earlier in the year, when Obama's approval dipped solely among independents and Republicans, the latest decline -- on the order of two to three percentage points -- is seen about equally with all three party groups.

Approval of Obama has come down slightly among all three party groups since the start of May. However, the 79% approval among Democrats recorded in each of the past two weeks marks the first time Obama's weekly approval among members of his own party has fallen below 80%.

Obama's Weekly Job Approval Rating at 46%

PA Ag Secretary Reminds Eligible Older Adults of June 30 Deadline to Sign up for Expanded Food Program

Amazing what Democrats can get away with saying.

ADL Calls Use of Nazi Reference by Jerry Brown 'Offensive and Inappropriate'

Employer Healthcare Costs Expected to Rise 9 percent in 2011, According to PricewaterhouseCoopers

From a new Gallup Poll:

Currently, by 49% to 40%, more Americans perceive the Democratic Party as too liberal than say the Republican Party is too conservative, giving the Republicans an advantage in an important election year.

The recent increase in perceptions of the Democratic Party as too liberal could be a response to the expansion in government spending since President Barack Obama took office, most notably regarding the economic stimulus and healthcare legislation.

Near-Record 49% Say Democratic Party "Too Liberal"

A simple question - "Do you fully support the Obama agenda?" - sends a Democratic Congressman into a tizzy.

Read more about Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge's bad day at The Washington Post's Web site.

The Tea Party Movement: Can There Be a Populist Conservatism?

On Flag Day, Veterans Ask, 'President Obama, Put the Cross Back!'

The slobbering love-affair between Barack Obama and the far left is definitely over.

One of the most widely-read liberal columnists in the United States, The New York Times' Maureen Dowd, has turned on Obama.

In a vicious column published Sunday, Dowd calls Obama an "elitist," "thin-skinned" and "controlling," a "crybaby" and "contemptuous" of his critics.

Dowd is especially upset with Obama's treatment of the mainstream media, which worked so hard and so openly to get Obama elected in 2008.

From Dowd's column:

Like many Democrats, he thinks the press is supposed to be on his side.

The former constitutional lawyer now in the White House understands that the press has a role in the democracy. But he is an elitist, too, as well as thin-skinned and controlling. So he ends up regarding scribes as intrusive, conveying a distaste for what he sees as the fundamental unseriousness of a press driven by blog-around-the-clock deadlines.

It hurts Obama to be a crybaby about it, and to blame the press and the "old Washington game" for his own communication failures.

Read the full column, "Isn't It Ironic?," at the newspaper's Web site.

If you missed Thursday's edition of "Journalists Roundtable" on the Pennsylvania Cable Network, you still have three more opportunities to watch the show.

The one-hour program re-airs Sunday at 5 PM and 11 PM as well as Monday at 10 AM on PCN.

This week's edition of "Journalists Roundtable" comes to you from the offices of The Mercury in Pottstown. The panelists include Tony Phyrillas, city editor/political columnist for The Mercury; Phil Heron, editor of The Delaware County Daily Times; and Stan Huskey, editor of The Times-Herald in Norristown.

Topics of discussion include the Joe Sestak/White House Job Offer Scandal, who is to blame for the Gulf Oil Spill, School Taxes/Pension Reform, voter apathy in the May 18 Primary Election and a preview of the Toomey/Sestak race for PA Senator and the Corbett/Onorato race for PA governor.

PCN is shown on Comcast Channel 98 in Berks County, Service Electric Cable Channel 23 in Berks/Lehigh counties and Comcast Channel 186 in the Pottstown area. Consult your cable guide for the Pennsylvania Cable Network channel in your area.

Remember how Barack Obama kept saying that if you like your current health care plan, you can keep it under the health care reform plan he was pushing for more than a year? He lied. That's right. He lied.

He lied so he could get enough doormat Democrats to vote for the government takeover of health care. And many of you gullible Democrats who went along with the scam will now lose your health care coverage. How's that hope and change working out for you?

From The Associated Press:

Health overhaul to force changes in employer plans

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — Over and over in the health care debate, President Barack Obama said people who like their current coverage would be able to keep it.

But an early draft of an administration regulation estimates that many employers will be forced to make changes to their health plans under the new law. In just three years, a majority of workers — 51 percent — will be in plans subject to new federal requirements, according to midrange projections in the draft.

Republicans said Obama broke his promise. Employer groups were divided.

It's more evidence that the law will raise costs, said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But the Business Roundtable — representing CEOs of major firms — saw encouraging signs of flexibility, though it's withholding final judgment. Some experts believe increased regulation will lead to improved benefits for consumers.

"On the face of it, having consumer protections apply to all insurance plans could be a good thing for employees," said Alex Vachon, an independent health policy consultant. "Technically, it's actually improved coverage."

The types of changes that employers could have to make include offering preventive care without copayments and instituting an appeals process for disputed claims that follows new federal guidelines. The law already requires all health plans to extend coverage to young adult children until they turn 26. Such incremental changes can nudge costs up.

Ed Rendell is taunting the Pennsylvania Legislature, saying lawmakers need to "man up" and raise taxes to cover Rendell's growing budget deficits.

Governor, a real man doesn't have to raise taxes. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?

From a story by Mike Wereschagin in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Gov. Ed Rendell on Tuesday told state lawmakers to "man up" and vote for tax and fee increases he proposed to plug about $1.7 billion in upcoming budget deficits.

Politicians' worries about losing their jobs over a tax increase are overblown, Rendell said during a visit to Pittsburgh.

As the June 30 budget deadline draws closer, the political caucuses remain in disagreement over Rendell's proposals, according to spokespeople. House Democrats say the state needs more money. Senate Republicans remain cool to Rendell's proposals. House GOP leaders are willing to discuss registration and license fee increases but oppose non-transportation-related taxes.

"To liberals, supporting higher taxes and taking more money out of the people's pockets seems to be a badge of courage," said House Republican spokesman Stephen Miskin. "In reality, tough decisions come with living within your means like every family does, paying with money you actually have like every family does."

Dozens of anti-tax protesters visited Capitol offices yesterday -- another sign of the anti-incumbent mood every House member and half the state's senators will face in November's election. Thomas Altman, 59, an investor from Hempfield who founded Pennsylvania Freedom Allies, stopped by the office of Rep. James Roebuck, D-Philadelphia, after the statehouse rally.

"We need him to protect us from the governor," Altman told Roebuck's secretary.

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.

Governor Rendell Announces Nominations, Appointments

Pennsylvania State Police Present Highest Award to Three Troopers

Here's a great way to start an editorial:

"Ed Rendell, the lame duck Democrat Pennsylvania governor who has done more to screw up the Keystone State economy than any governor in history."

-- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Editorial Board

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.

The American Legion Supports Reforms for Arlington

75% of Pennsylvanians say 'Merit' Selection Could Make Judicial Selection 'More Political'

From a new Dick Morris column, pointing out that the The Emperor Has No Clothes:

The sight of his blithering and blustering while the most massive oil spill in history moves closer to America's beaches not only reminds one of Bush's terrible performance during Katrina, but calls to mind Jimmy Carter's incompetence in the face of the hostage crisis.

America is watching the president alternate between wringing his hands in helplessness and pointing his finger in blame when he should be solving the most pressing environmental problem America has faced in the past 50 years. We are watching generations of environmental protection swept away as marshes, fisheries, vacation spots, recreational beaches, wetlands, hatcheries and sanctuaries fall prey to the oil spill invasion. And, all the while, the president acts like a spectator, interrupting his basketball games only to excoriate BP for its failure to contain the spill.

The political fallout from the oil spill will, indeed, spill across party and ideological lines. The environmentalists of America cannot take heart from a president so obviously ignorant about how to protect our shores and so obstinately arrogant that he refuses to inform himself and take any responsibility.

Read the full column at the link below:

Morris: Obama doesn’t have a clue - TheHill.com

This week's edition of "Journalists Roundtable" is coming to you from the offices of The Mercury in Pottstown.

The one-hour program hosted by Bill Bova airs Thursday at 8 p.m. on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). The show will repeat Sunday at 5 p.m. and again at 11 p.m

The panel includes Tony Phyrillas, city editor/political columnist for The Mercury; Phil Heron, editor of The Delaware County Daily Times; and Stan Huskey, editor of The Times-Herald in Norristown.

PCN is shown on Comcast Channel 98 in Berks County, Service Electric Cable Channel 23 in Berks/Lehigh counties and Comcast Channel 186 in the Pottstown area.

Consult your cable guide for the Pennsylvania Cable Network channel in your area.

Sands Casino Bethlehem Receives $48,000 Fine for Underage Patron Violations

New Exhibit Debuts in Gettysburg

Ed Rendell is taunting the Pennsylvania Legislature, saying lawmakers need to "man up" and raise taxes to cover Rendell's growing budget deficits.

Governor, a real man doesn't have to raise taxes. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?

From a story by Mike Wereschagin in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Gov. Ed Rendell on Tuesday told state lawmakers to "man up" and vote for tax and fee increases he proposed to plug about $1.7 billion in upcoming budget deficits.

Politicians' worries about losing their jobs over a tax increase are overblown, Rendell said during a visit to Pittsburgh.

As the June 30 budget deadline draws closer, the political caucuses remain in disagreement over Rendell's proposals, according to spokespeople. House Democrats say the state needs more money. Senate Republicans remain cool to Rendell's proposals. House GOP leaders are willing to discuss registration and license fee increases but oppose non-transportation-related taxes.

"To liberals, supporting higher taxes and taking more money out of the people's pockets seems to be a badge of courage," said House Republican spokesman Stephen Miskin. "In reality, tough decisions come with living within your means like every family does, paying with money you actually have like every family does."

Dozens of anti-tax protesters visited Capitol offices yesterday -- another sign of the anti-incumbent mood every House member and half the state's senators will face in November's election. Thomas Altman, 59, an investor from Hempfield who founded Pennsylvania Freedom Allies, stopped by the office of Rep. James Roebuck, D-Philadelphia, after the statehouse rally.

"We need him to protect us from the governor," Altman told Roebuck's secretary.

Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.

Republican Marcy Toepel was sworn in Wednesday as state representative for the 147th state House District.

Magisterial District Judge Maurice Saylor administered the oath to Toepel while Speaker of the House Keith McCall and House Republican Leader Sam Smith looked on.

"Taking the oath of office today, I was humbled and grateful, it's truly a special privilege becoming a member of this body," Toepel said in a statement released after the ceremony.

Toepel said she is ready to dive into the Legislature's negotiations over the state budget, which is supposed to be passed by June 30.

"The state budget is going to be my first major vote in a tough budget year," Toepel said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to give the people of Pennsylvania a responsible budget."

Toepel was elected to the House in a special election on May 18 to complete an unexpired term of former state Rep. Bob Mensch, now a state senator. Toepel has been active in the Montgomery County Republican Party and previously served as first deputy to the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds.

Toepel also won the Republican nomination in the May 18 primary to run for a full two-year term in the House this November.

In addition to friends and family, including husband Mark, invited guests attending the House ceremony included Ethel Ritchey, mayor of Pennsburg; Robert Young, chairman of Upper Frederick Township Supervisors; Bob Kerns, chairman of Montgomery County Republican Committee; Brittany Tressler, executive director of Montgomery County Republican Committee; and Nancy Becker, recorder of deeds for Montgomery County.

The 147th Legislative District includes the townships of Douglass, Lower Frederick, Marlborough, part of New Hanover, Perkiomen, Salford, Skippack (portion), Upper Frederick, Upper Hanover, and Upper Salford. The district also includes the boroughs of East Greenville, Green Lane, Pennsburg, Red Hill and Schwenksville.

It's one of the safest Republican districts in the state so expect Toepel to hold the seat in the Nov. 2 election.

Barack Obama is still trying to sell Americans the snake oil he's calling health-reform, but 60% aren't buying it.

From a blog post by Rep. Michelle Bachmann:

The problem the President is having when it comes to winning support for his health care plan has nothing to do with him as a pitchman, but rather that it's simply a disastrous policy he's trying to sell.

The American people have expressed serious frustration with his plan going back to health care town-halls in the summer of 2009. People were outraged back then, and they're still outraged now. No matter what label or spin the President puts on his bill, it won't change the fact that it's simply bad policy.

Read Bachmann full post at the link below:

Obamacare is bad policy, no matter how he spins it (Rep. Michelle Bachmann) - The Hill's Congress Blog

This week's edition of "Journalists Roundtable" on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) is coming to you from the offices of The Mercury in Pottstown.

The one-hour program hosted by Bill Bova airs Thursday at 8 p.m. on cable systems throughout Pennsylvania.

The show will repeat Sunday at 5 p.m. and again at 11 p.m

The panel for June 10 edition will be Tony Phyrillas, city editor/political columnist for The Mercury; Phil Heron, editor of The Delaware County Daily Times; and Stan Huskey, editor of The Times-Herald in Norristown.

PCN is shown on Comcast Channel 98 in Berks County, Service Electric Cable Channel 23 in Berks/Lehigh counties and Comcast Channel 186 in the Pottstown area.

Consult your cable guide for the Pennsylvania Cable Network channel in your area.

From POLITICO:

More than two-thirds of Americans rate the federal government's response to the oil spill off the Gulf Coast negatively — topping the number of those who said the same about Katrina soon after the hurricane, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.

Sixty-nine percent of the 1,004 adults polled nationwide held a negative view of the federal government's response to the spill; only 28 percent gave the government a positive rating.

Two weeks after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, the same survey showed 62 percent of Americans held a negative view of the government response.

Poll: Oil response worse than Katrina - Andy Barr - POLITICO.com

The Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia has launched a capital campaign to raise funds to build a museum honoring Greek-Americans in the Delaware Valley.

The group has set up a charitable foundation to accept tax-deductible donations in any amount toward the project.

It has also launched a Web site, www.GreekAmericanHeritage.org, to promote the effort.

Its short-term goal is to locate traveling classrooms "where young people will observe displays of objects, videos and other means to inspire an interest in the Greek culture," according to the Web site.

The long term goal is to locate a permanent site for a museum, library and study area.

"After many years of planning, the founders of The Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia were able to obtain sufficient funds in order to create a venue to perpetuate the Wonders, the Glory, and the founding of our own American Democracy and our own American Freedom of which we are so proud," according to the Web site.

If you'd like to make a donation, make checks payable to "The Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia" and send them to P.O. Box 103, Broomall, PA 19008

The group is also looking for volunteers to help spread the message about its cause. You can contact the Society at 610-356-5329 or e-mail: greekheritagesociety@msn.com

Most of the provisions of the Democrats takeover of health care haven't kicked in yet, but a new poll finds the majority of Americans want to see a repeal of Obamacare.

From Rasmussen Reports:

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% now favor repeal of the bill while 35% are opposed to repeal.

Rasmussen Reports has been tracking support for repeal weekly since the bill became law. Overall support for repeal is down two points from a week ago but is still higher than in the immediate aftermath of the Congressional debate.

The number who favor repeal now includes 48% who Strongly Favor it. Just 28% are Strongly Opposed.

The number who Strongly Favor repeal has been higher just once since the bill became law. Overall, weekly results show that the number who Strongly Favor repeal has run from a low of 44% to a high of 50%.

For more poll results, click on the link below:

Health Care Law

It's all about payback in Washington, D.C. Teachers' unions help elect Democrats so those same Democrats can raid the public treasury to give billions back to the teachers' unions. It's a great scam - until Joe Taxpayer gets stuck with the bill.

Liberal House Dems, unions push for $23B fund to save teacher jobs - TheHill.com

Unlike many of his colleagues who have decided to stick their head in the sand, Rep. Curt Schroder, a longtime proponent of reforming state government, issued this statement in support of the Bonusgate Grand Jury recommendations.

Grand Jury Speaks for Pennsylvania Citizens in its Recommendations to Clean Up Corruption

By Rep. Curt Schroder

It was satisfying to learn that the statewide grand jury assembled two years ago to investigate the Capitol corruption scandal known as Bonusgate had decided to issue a report on its findings. Contrary to reports, not everyone in the General Assembly has scoffed at or derided the recommendations. It was even more satisfying to learn that many of the grand jury's recommendations for reforming the Legislature and curbing public corruption are already contained in bills I have introduced.

It is rare that a grand jury opts to issue a report, and even rarer that it would delve so deeply into the muck as to make sweeping recommendations for change. I can only surmise that the average tax-paying citizens who comprise that body were so appalled at what they learned about their state Legislature and pervasive corruption, that they were moved to initiate a desperate cry for change.

It is apparent, in the words of the grand jury, that the state Legislature is "irretrievably broken" and in desperate need of systemic change. Its recommendations included reducing legislative salaries to force Pennsylvania into becoming a part-time Legislature; cutting legislative staff; streamlining services; and limiting special accounts controlled by House and Senate leaders.

My legislation includes those points and goes even further to eliminate discretionary grants known as WAMS, and move members of the Legislature to a defined contribution system to replace their defined benefit pension plan. In fact, last summer, during the protracted state budget stalemate, I proposed forming a true citizens' constitutional convention, which captured widespread support among major reform organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

A constitutional convention would allow all of the issues raised by the grand jury to be addressed. The grand jury asserted that a constitutional convention would likely be necessary to achieve some of the reforms it was recommending as jurors expressed doubt the Legislature was capable of reforming itself.

I am encouraged by the findings of the grand jury. While some recommendations are open to debate and discussion, I believe the grand jury has done a great service on behalf of Pennsylvanians. It is an independent body that has carefully studied the practices and procedures that enabled corruption to occur and take hold at the highest levels of previous House leadership. While many changes have been made by current House leaders, this report still serves as a major wake-up call. I am calling on the leadership of the House and Senate to take these recommendations seriously and to act immediately to fix our broken system.

See related editorial at The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Web site.

Liberal icon Helen Thomas, who has covered the White House since the Lincoln Administration, is finally calling it quits.

Helen Thomas resigns over remarks on Jews - Patrick Gavin - POLITICO.com

With 58% of Americans calling for the repeal of Obamacare, Democrats are planning a $125 million PR campaign to fool you into thinking the government takeover of the health care system is good for you.

Dems launch $125M health campaign - Mike Allen - POLITICO.com

PA Department of Revenue to Combine Pottsville, Reading District Offices

PA Tax Amnesty Ends June 18; Only 11 Days Left for Tax Delinquents to Save on Penalties, Interest on Back Taxes

National Safety Council and Toyota Partner to Address Teen Driving During National Safety Month

Attention women: If somebody shows up at your house and offers to conduct a complimentary breast exam, call the police.

A 19-year-old Bucks County woman is the victim. The Delaware County man is under arrest for indecent assault.

Police want to know if anyone else in SE Pennsylvania may have been assaulted by the man, who is not a licensed doctor.

And who makes house calls anymore?

Man arrested for giving fake breast exam - The Reporter

Barack Obama's inexperience and inability to make a decision is showing in Obama's failure to lead during the 45-day-old Gulf oil spill crisis, argues Keith Koffler.

From his column in POLITICO:

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs tweeted to the world recently that President Barack Obama had on his night table "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt," Edmund Morris' rip-roaring, Pulitzer Prize-winning account of the formative years of America's most colorful president.

Presumably, Gibbs was implying that the great man now occupying the White House was taking pointers from the great man who preceded him.

Politicians just love to see themselves as leaders like Teddy Roosevelt or Winston Churchill — giants who trampled over obstacles with unyielding doggedness and even a kind of childlike insouciance.

As Obama underachieves his way through the Gulf of Mexico oil spill crisis, Gibbs's effort to link the president to Roosevelt makes the opposite point intended: Great leaders are a very rare thing, and the man in the White House today ain't one of them — at least not yet.

Obama's detached performance with respect to this massive and growing crisis — the ripple effects of which could still be with us on Election Day 2012 — is generally portrayed as a PR meltdown and a simple failure to step up by an understandably beleaguered Obama.

Read the full column at the link below:

Obama fails the test of leadership - Keith Koffler - POLITICO.comC

If it passes, a bill to protect children involved in television and film production in Pennsylvania could be renamed the "Jon and Kate Plus 8 Law."

Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) joined Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) Friday in unveiling House Bill 2515, which was prompted by the recent controversy involving tabloid queen Kate Gosselin, a Berks County resident.

Murt's legislation address deficiencies in Pennsylvania's child labor law as it relates to television and film productions in the Commonwealth.

"Pennsylvania is becoming home to a growing number of television and film productions," Murt said in a press release. "As more productions come to the Commonwealth, we have a responsibility to examine our laws to ensure they are sufficient to enable these productions to occur safely and that the interests of all involved are protected."

Murt noted that between 2002 and 2008, 922 productions took place all or in part in Pennsylvania. In 2002, 31 films that were released took place in Pennsylvania. By 2008, that number increased to 175. That represents an average annual growth rate of 33 percent over that period.

Quigley was on hand to add his support at the press event at Hatboro Borough Hall.

"I want to congratulate my colleague, Tom Murt, for taking the lead in addressing this important issue," Quigley said. "When one thinks of Child Labor Laws it conjures up images of children working in coal mines or textile factories and that was the case many years ago. Now we must revisit and adjust those laws to address a new industry; television and film productions in Pennsylvania."

Murt developed House Bill 2515, which would:

Require all minors to have a work permit issued by the state Department of Labor and Industry to ensure all adequate provisions have been made for the minor’s educational instruction, supervision, health and welfare.

Restrict minors to work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and set guidelines for amount of hours for work, recreation, school work, and activities per work day.

Require the presence of a "set teacher" on the set of any production. This person will serve as an advocate for the minor to ensure the minor’s health, education, and moral safety on the set. In addition, this person will monitor the working conditions, the minor's mental health, and the demands placed on the minor to ensure they are appropriate to the minor's age, strength, and stamina.

Require that 15 percent of a minor's gross earnings be set aside by the employer in a trust for the minor. At least one parent or legal guardian shall be trustee of these funds unless otherwise determined by a court.

Murt said his bill has been introduced and he is hopeful it will receive consideration by the full House and Senate before the end of the legislative session.

Public Invited to Health & Safety Day at State Capitol on June 9

Barack Obama is crowing about the unemployment report released today. Only one problem. Most of the jobs created in May were temporary Census jobs for the government. Only 21,000 private sector jobs were created in May. Unemployment went down from 9.9% to 9.7% because discouraged workers stopped looking for work. The Obama Recession continues ...

Private Hiring 'Weak,' 411,000 Jobs Out of 431,000 Temp Census Positions | NewsBusters.org

Governor Rendell Signs Legislation

Vote iQ Launches Political Social Networking Site

FRC's Tony Perkins, Concerned National Leaders, Speak Out Against Comedy Central's Anti-Christian Bias

Just 3 in 10 voters believe Obama's America is headed in the right direction, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports poll.

From Rasmussen Reports:

Thirty percent (30%) of U.S. Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken the week ending May 30.

While the latest finding is up slightly from the previous week, it is still five points lower than the recent high following Congress' passage of the national health care bill. At that time, 35% felt the country was heading in the right direction, the highest level of optimism measured since early September 2009. Since then, the number of voters who feel this way has steadily declined and is beginning to mirror levels found prior to passage of the bill.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Democrats say the country is heading in the right direction. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of Republicans and 73% of voters not affiliated with either party say America's heading down the wrong track. These findings have changed very little for several weeks now.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of African-American voters feel the country is heading in the right direction. Seventy percent (70%) of both whites and voters of other ethnicities say wrong track.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of all voters now believe the nation is heading down the wrong track. Following passage of the health care bill, a burst of enthusiasm by Democratic voters pushed that number briefly down to 60%.

Read more poll results at the link below:

Right Direction or Wrong Track

Two rivers in Pennsylvania -- the Upper Delaware River and the Monongahela River -- are in the Top 10 List of America's Most Endangered Rivers, according to a new study.

American Rivers Announces America's Most Endangered Rivers™ of 2010

From an editorial in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Sadly, it seems that only more criminal charges, convictions and prison time will bring about desperately needed reforms of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Analysts say legislators are too fond of the status quo's "incumbent protection." And that makes it unlikely they'll implement commonsense reforms recommended by the same grand jury whose two-year probe resulted in charges of campaigning on the public's dime against 26 current and former legislators and staff members.

Those ideas include reining in House leaders' discretionary-spending accounts, ending per diems, shrinking the size of the Legislature and its staff, reverting to a part-time Legislature and imposing term limits and tougher ethics rules. Absent such reforms -- which would make legislators less likely to become convicts -- Pennsylvania will remain the State of Corruption.

Read the full editorial -- "Reform? Ha!" -- at the newspaper's Web site.

Another month, another round of bad fiscal news out of Harrisburg.

With one month left in the 2009-10 fiscal year, Pennsylvania has spent $1.2 billion more than it has collected in tax revenues. (That's on top of the $3.25 billion deficit the Rendell Administration ran up in the 2008-09 fiscal year.)

Pennsylvania collected $1.8 billion in General Fund revenue in May, which was $124.9 million, or 6.5 percent, less than anticipated, according to Secretary of Revenue C. Daniel Hassell.

Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $24.6 billion, which is $1.2 billion, or 4.8 percent, below estimate, Hassell reported.

From the PA Department of Revenue:

Sales tax receipts totaled $652.3 million for May, $27 million below estimate. Year-to-date sales tax collections total $7.3 billion, which is $369.8 million, or 4.9 percent, less than anticipated.

Personal income tax (PIT) revenue in May was $691.6 million, $46.6 million below estimate. This brings year-to-date PIT collections to $8.9 billion, which is $311.1 million, or 3.4 percent, below estimate.

May corporation tax revenue of $85.8 million was $53.6 million below estimate. Year-to-date corporation tax collections total $4 billion, which is $484.6 million, or 10.7 percent, below estimate.

Other General Fund revenue figures for the month included $61.8 million in inheritance tax, $6.5 million below estimate, bringing the year-to-date total to $676.6 million, which is $17.7 million below estimate.

Read more at the link below:

Revenue Department Releases May Collections

Why would anybody in their right mind want to be the next governor of Pennsylvania?

You not only have the fiscal mess that Gov. Ed Rendell and the current Legislature left behind ($4.25 billion in deficits in just the past two years) but you have the perennial problem of reforming the most expensive and inefficient state legislature in the country.

From an editorial in the Times-Leader:

There's obviously a disconnect with a large segment of the public that lawmakers aren't acknowledging.

On one side, there's the voluntary report from a panel of 33 citizens whose two-year probe into illegal use of public resources resulted in 25 people being charged. Their investigation uncovered an institutionalized system rigged to keep lawmakers in power.

On the other side we have some modest operational changes that House leaders tout as reform.

The system clearly is in need of an overhaul, and it's up to the people to elect a governor who is up to the challenge.

Read the full editorial at the link below:

Next governor must rally reform | The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA

16 Die in Holiday Crashes Investigated by State Police

Healthcare Economics and Policy: It's a Perfect Storm

When you think about it, Al Gore was already in love with someone else -- Al Gore. There was no room for Tipper in his life ... or in his $9 million mansion.

From The Associated Press:

Former Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, are separating after 40 years of marriage that included a White House run when their sunny relationship offered a counterpoint to President Bill Clinton's philandering.

According to an e-mail circulated among the couple's associates on Tuesday, the Gores said it was "a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration."

Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider confirmed the statement came from the Gores, but declined to comment further.

The Gores were telling friends they "grew apart" after 40 years of marriage and there was no affair involved, according to two longtime close associates and family friends, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The associates said the Gores, over time, had carved out separate lives, with the former vice president on the road frequently. One of the associates said: "Their lives had gotten more and more separated."

MRC-TV: Noyes on Media's Katrina/BP Oil Spill Double Standard | NewsBusters.org

I'll be participating in a panel discussion on government reform tonight at Ursinus College. The event is free and open to the public.

From the office of Montgomery County state Rep. Mike Vereb:

COLLEGEVILLE — Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) encourages residents of the 150th Legislative District to attend his Government Reform Forum on Tuesday, June 1, at Ursinus College.

A panel of local and county government officials, as well as news reporters who cover the different levels of government, will be on hand to give their view on what government reforms need to be enacted and to answer questions from the audience.

The evening's panelists include: Risa Vetri Ferman, Montgomery County district attorney; Jenny Brown, Lower Merion township commissioner; Stan Huskey, Norristown Times-Herald editor; Tony Phyrillas, Pottstown Mercury city editor; Alex Roarty, PoliticsPA correspondent; and Chris Freind, an independent columnist and investigative reporter based in Philadelphia.

This is an interactive event, with residents encouraged to submit questions for the panelists throughout the evening. Residents who are unable to attend are invited to submit questions for the panelists via Rep. Vereb's Web site, www.RepVereb.com

The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Guest should use the Ninth Avenue entrance to enter the Ursinus College campus. Signs will be displayed throughout the campus to direct residents to Kaleidoscope Hall.